Similar toxic effect of 1,3-bis(2-chloroethyl)-1-nitrosourea on lymphocytes from human subjects differing in the expression of glutathione transferase M1-1.

ABSTRACT

Sixteen healthy donors were investigated for the presence or absence of glutathione transferase (GST) M1-1 in lymphocytes by immunodetection with polyclonal antibodies against human GST M1-1. Nine out of 16 individuals (56%) were categorized as GST M1-1 positive. Phytohaemagglutinin stimulated lymphocytes from GST M1-1 positive and negative donors were treated with 1,3-bis(2-chloroethyl)-1-nitrosourea (BCNU) and compared regarding inhibition of [3H]thymidine incorporation as a measure of cytotoxicity. No significant differences in the effect of BCNU were observed between the two groups, indicating that GST M1-1 is not an important resistance factor for BCNU.